Cooperative motions of protein and hydration water molecules: molecular dynamics study of scytalone dehydratase

Two molecular dynamics (MD) simulations totaling 25 ns of simulation time of monomeric scytalone dehydratase (SD) were performed. The enzyme has a ligand-binding pocket containing a cone-shaped alpha+beta barrel, and the C-terminal region covers the binding pocket. Our simulations clarified the difference in protein dynamics and conformation between the liganded protein and the unliganded protein. The liganded protein held the ligand molecule tightly and the initial structure was maintained during the simulation. The unliganded protein, on the other hand, fluctuated dynamically and its structure changed largely from the initial structure. In the equilibrium state, the binding pocket was fully solvated by opening of the C-terminal region, and the protein dynamics was connected with hydration water molecules entry into and release from the binding pocket. In addition, the cooperative motions of the unliganded protein and the hydration water molecules produced the path through the protein interior for ligand binding.     

Synthesis and structure of 1-zirconacyclopent-3-yne complexes without substituents adjacent to the triple bond

Five-membered metallacyclic alkynes that have no substituents adjacent to the triple bond have been synthesized, isolated, and structurally characterized. Zirconocene dichlorides, Cp'2ZrCl2 (Cp' = C5H5, C5H4-t-Bu), reacted with 1,4-dichlorobut-2-yne in the presence of magnesium to give 1-zirconacyclopent-3-yne compounds (5 (a) Cp' = C5H5, (b) Cp' = C5H4-t-Bu) that have a -CH2CCCH2- moiety in good yields. They are stable enough to be isolated in a pure form, despite the absence of substituents. 5a reacted with an equimolar amount of Cp2Zr(but-1-ene)(PMe3) to produce a bimetallic complex in which the zirconacyclopentyne coordinates to the other zirconocene moiety as an alkyne.     

Molecular interactions between lipid bilayers and a water-soluble polymer

Molecular interactions between lipid bilayers (liposomes) and chondroitin sulfate C (CS), a water soluble polymer, have been investigated in terms of zeta-potential, particle size, microscopic-viscosity, microscopic-polarity of liposomes and permeability of calcein. Microscopic morphology is dramatically changed by the addition of CS to the positively charged liposomes (Pos.L), while it is not changed by the addition to uncharged liposomes (Unc.L) or negatively charged liposomes (Neg.L). The absolute value of the particle size of Pos.L increases with the addition of CS, while the zeta- potential of Pos.L decreases. Permeability of Pos.L decreases with an increase in the concentration of CS. Phase transition temperature of Pos.L is changed after the addition of CS. These values, however, are not changed for the other liposomes by the addition of CS. The results of gel filtration chromatography show that CS is absorbed on the Pos.L surface. Microscopic viscosity is also increased by the addition of CS to Pos.L due to the adsorption of CS.     

Determination of selenium in sediments by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry. Elimination of interferences

Summary The hydride generation/atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) with an automated flow system is useful for the routine analysis of selenium in environmental samples. This method is, however, subject to interferences from transition metal ions and other hydride forming ions. The conditions to minimize the interferences were established: the concentration of hydrochloric acid 6 mol/l; the concentration of tetrahydroborate 0.5%. Iron(III) chloride released the depression of selenium signals by metal ions such as copper(II) and bismuth(III). Selenium in several standard reference materials including sediment samples was determined by the present method and by fluorimetry with 2,3-diaminonaphthalene. The results obtained by the two methods agreed with an acceptable precision. This means that hydride generation/AAS offers good precision and accuracy in the determination of selenium in sediment samples as well as DAN fluorimetry. However, the former is much simpler in operation. The method was applied to the determination of selenium in estuarine sediments collected in Nagoya harbor and Ise Bay. The results can be used to assess the pollution state of these places.

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Selenbestimmung in Sedimenten durch AAS mit Hydriderzeugung. Eliminierung von Störungen

     

A novel isomerization on interaction of antitumor-active azole-bridged dinuclear platinum(II) complexes with 9-ethylguanine. Platinum(II) atom migration from N2 to N3 on 1,2,3-triazole

The reactions of the dinuclear platinum(II) complexes, [[cis-Pt(NH(3))(2)](2)(mu-OH)(mu-pz)](NO(3))(2) (1, pz = pyrazolate), [[cis-Pt(NH(3))(2)](2)(mu-OH)(mu-1,2,3-ta-N1,N2)](NO(3))(2) (2, 1,2,3-ta = 1,2,3-triazolate), and a newly prepared [[cis-Pt(NH(3))(2)](2)(mu-OH)(mu-4-phe-1,2,3-ta-N1,N2)](NO(3))(2) (3, 4-phe-1,2,3-ta = 4-phenyl-1,2,3-triazolate), whose crystal structure was determined, with 9-ethylguanine (9EtG) have been monitored in aqueous solution at 310 K by means of (1)H NMR spectroscopy. The dinuclear platinum(II) complexes 1-3 each react with 9EtG in a bifunctional way to form 1:2 complexes, [[cis-Pt(NH(3))(2)(9EtG-N7)](2)(mu-pz)](3+) (4), [[cis-Pt(NH(3))(2)(9EtG-N7)](2)(mu-1,2,3-ta-N1,N3)](3+) (5), and [[cis-Pt(NH(3))(2)(9EtG-N7)](2)(mu-4-phe-1,2,3-ta-N1,N3)](3+) (6). The reactions of 2 and 3 involve a novel isomerization, in which the Pt atom, initially bound to N2 on the 1,2,3-ta, migrates to N3 after the first substitution by N7 of 9EtG. This isomerization reaction has been unambiguously characterized by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and pH titration. The reactions of 2 and 3 with 9EtG show faster kinetics, and the second-order rate constants (k) for the reactions of 1-3are 1.57 x 10(-4), 2.53 x 10(-4), and 2.56 x 10(-4) M(-1) s(-1), respectively. The pK(a) values at the N1H site of 9EtG were determined for 4-6 from the pH titration curves. Cytotoxicity assays of 1-3 were performed in L1210 murine leukemia cell lines, respectively sensitive and resistant to cisplatin. In the parent cell line, 2 and 3 exhibit higher cytotoxicity compared to cisplatin, especially, 2 is 10 times as active as cisplatin. 1 was found to be less cytotoxic than cisplatin, but still in the active range and more active than cisplatin in a cisplatin-resistant cell line.     

Surfactants having polyfluoroalkyl chains. II. Syntheses of anionic surfactants having two polyfluoroalkyl chains including a trifluoromethyl group at each tail and their flocculation-redispersion ability for dispersed magnetite particles in water

Anionic surfactants having two polyfluoroalkyl chains per molecule, i.e. the sodium salt of bis(1H, 1H, 2H,2H-heptadeca-fluorodecyl)-2-sulfosuccinate, CF₃(CF₂)₇(CH₂)₂OCOCH₂CH(SO₃Na)COO(CH₂)₂(CF₂)₇CF₃, the sodium salt of bis(1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-tridecafluoro-octyl)-2-sulfosuccinate, CF₃(CF₂)₅(CH₂)₂OCOCH₂CH(SO₃Na)COO(CH₂)₂(CF₂)₅CF₃, and the sodium salt of bis(1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-nonafluorohexyl)-2-sulfosuccinate, CF₃(CF₂)₃(CH₂)₂OCOCH₂CH(SO₃Na)COO(CH₂)₂(CF₂)₃CF₃, have been prepared from maleic anhydride, the corresponding alcohols possessing a polyfluoroalkyl chain and sodium hydrogen sulfite. The flocculation and redispersion abilities of these surfactants for dispersed magnetic particles in water have been examined to investigate the effect of the chain length. It was found that this ability was enhanced by an increase in the chain length. The contact angles for water for pelleted surface-modified magnetite have been measured. In order to compare this ability and the contact angles, data for other fluorinated surfactant have been obtained. The Kraff point, the surface tension and the pNa of the aqueous surfactant solutions have also been measured.